WINNERS / LOSERS
During the 50’s and 60’s I grew up as a member in my father’s acrobatic act , “AL MORGAN AND HIS TOY BOYS”. We performed throughout the Northeast and Canada at State Fairs, Carnivals etc. We ended our careers in the late 60’s on Don Amechi's International Showtime, a nationally televised circus review.
My fascination with the Midway, Sideshows, Barkers, Games of Chance and all started early.
At times we would be given a dollar to find our lunch among the midways vendors. One of those times I fell victim to watching the games of chance .Brightly lit prizes enticed by the talkie’s billowing “ STEP RIGHT UP!!!! ........drew large crowds. Losers are many...... a winner holds the largest of Teddy Bears right next to me too hard to deny.
3 balls for a dollar and I make the exchange. A one ball throw knocking down all the milk bottles would make me a top shelf winner. I remember that throw to this day.........one last glance up the midway spots my parents heading my way.
Uh, oh!
With a sharpshooters eye a mighty heave let’s out with an echoing strike. Rattling turns to silence .......the talkie shouts out “We have a winner over here!!” .and the crowd cheers.
I pick the biggest blue one.
The 4 of us walk proudly away.
I was about 9......
......realizing everybody
loves a winner.
I have since had a stroke and I now feed that experience into a computer and this is what comes out.
